8:46 a.m. Tuesday

It's Tuesday morning and the mist is rising off the river in Ilion NY. Monday, I rowed from Lock 20 thru Lock 19 to Ilion. Something like 16 miles. A sunny day but AGAIN right into head winds all day. The distances each day are set by trying to get to a specific spot for the night that might have basic services toilets, showers, and a place to camp. The locks are great for camping - usually they do not have showers but have bathrooms.

Lock 20 in Marcy was great especially because of Vinnie. We I arrived Saturday afternoon late, I set up camp and headed out walking in the dark towards a pizza place 1 mile away. "A big Saturday night out for Joe in Marcy, NY" All of a sudden this sport utility tore up behind me and the window rolled down - " Are you the Gondolier? " Yeah - "Hop in I'll take you to the restaurant" In short, Vinnie regularly fishes near the locks (or tries too, lol) and he waited as I ordered my to go food, took me back to my campsite and took me to get coffee and muffins both Sunday and Monday mornings. In my opinion the world needs more friendly and generous people like Vinnie and his friend Nancy. Today in Ilion, I have an interview with the Gazette and have a passenger for the day.